Speaker
Description
The growing global emphasis on research and innovation has led to the emergence of
regional disparities in competitiveness, with nations and regions striving to enhance
their research capabilities. National Research and Education Networks (NRENs) are
pivotal in supporting and advancing these research initiatives by providing high-speed,
reliable Internet infrastructure and facilitating collaborations across academic and
research institutions.
This discussion focuses on the role of NRENs and their impact on global research trends
such as interdisciplinary collaboration, open-access publishing, open science, big data
analytics, and artificial intelligence. Specifically, the discussion looks into how the
NRENs contribute to or hinder these initiatives, which, in one way or another, trigger
regional competitiveness.
By examining case studies from diverse regions, we assess the extent to which NRENs
enable or limit the creation and sharing of zero-rated educational and research
resources, access to cutting-edge research tools, international collaborations, and
participation in global knowledge economies. The findings suggest that while NRENs are
crucial in supporting research infrastructures, disparities in network capabilities,
funding, and policy environments often lead to uneven impacts on regional
competitiveness. This paper underscores the need for enhanced investments in NREN
development, tailored regional strategies, and international cooperation to ensure that
NRENs effectively contribute to bridging the global research divide and fostering
equitable research growth across regions.
| Student or Postdoc? | PhD or DTech4 |
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